Qatar Hosts Summit to Address Israel's Actions Against Hamas

Dubai, Sep 15 (AP) Qatar is set to host a summit on Monday to discuss Israel's recent attacks on Hamas leaders in Doha last week. The gathering aims to bring together a coalition of Arab and Islamic nations to find a way to curb Israel's ongoing military actions against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The strikes against Hamas leaders occurred as Qatar played a crucial role in mediating for a ceasefire in the conflict, with Doha affirming its commitment to peace efforts despite the assault.

Following the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel, Israel has launched retaliatory strikes on Hamas and other groups in Iran's “Axis of Resistance.” These have hit targets in Iran, Lebanon, the Palestinian territories, Syria, Qatar, and Yemen. This has fueled widespread anger in the Middle East, exacerbated by the death of more than 64,000 Palestinians in Gaza and raising concerns about the adequacy of US protection in the Gulf Arab states.

Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, called on the international community to abandon double standards and hold Israel accountable for its actions.

However, the potential outcomes of the summit remain uncertain, as some nations with diplomatic ties to Israel may hesitate to take drastic steps.

The New York-based Soufan Center stated that organizing the summit in under a week highlights the region's urgent response to the ongoing crisis. The key question is whether the summit will lead to significant actions against Israel, such as diplomatic downgrades or economic measures.

Iran, which previously attacked Qatar, is participating in the summit. President Masoud Pezeshkian, attending the meeting, noted the wide range of nations Israel has targeted since October 7. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed solidarity with Qatar and other Muslim nations.

Qatar has long served as a mediator in the Israel-Hamas conflict, hosting Hamas' political leadership and facilitating communication between Israel and the militant group. However, as the conflict persists, Qatar faces criticism from within the Israeli government, and Prime Minister Netanyahu has indicated that it could become a target if Hamas leaders remain there.

US President Donald Trump reaffirmed support for Qatar, calling it a great ally, and acknowledged its challenging geopolitical position.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Israel on Monday, meeting with Netanyahu and discussing the attack on Qatar and Israel's plans for a new Gaza City offensive.

Israel's public continues to pressure Netanyahu over the hostages remaining in Gaza. Official reports indicate that there are 48 hostages in Gaza, of whom 20 are likely alive. The conflict has resulted in over 64,000 Palestinian deaths, with local health officials not specifying the number of civilian casualties. The war, initiated by Hamas militants on October 7, 2023, saw the killing of approximately 1,200 predominantly civilian Israelis and the abduction of 251 people. (AP)

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